Tag Archive: Culture & Travel – Intermediate

The great fall foliage in Japan

colorful trees and rural road in deep autumn forest, natural background

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “autumn”? What is the best place to see the autumn leaves from where you live? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gradually /GRAJ-oo-uh-lee/ [adverb] – slowly over a period of time or a distance She adjusted to the vegetarian diet gradually. canoe /kuh-NOO/ [verb] – to travel in a canoe (=a small, light, narrow boat, pointed at both ends and moved using a paddle) We navigated the lake by canoeing. trail /treyl/ [noun] – a path through a countryside, mountain, or…
Read more

The country that is “seven years behind” the world

Location Ethiopia. Red pin on the map.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What month do you look forward to the most and why? What is the best month to visit your country? Please share the reasons as well. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. Ethiopia /ee-thee-OH-pee-uh/ [noun] – a country in East Africa My family and I stayed in Ethiopia for four years. mark /mahrk/ [verb] – to represent something that has happened in the past or is about to happen Today marks the company’s tenth anniversary. unique /yoo-NEEK/ [adjective] – being the only existing one of its type or, more generally, unusual,…
Read more

Saving Hawaii’s natural wonders

Waterfall in Kauai With Rainbow and Bird Overhead

©Adobe Stock | Kauai, Hawaii Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the most beautiful thing in nature? Why? How do you feel when you are in nature? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. widely /WAHYD-lee/ [adverb] – by many The English language is widely spoken throughout the world. archipelago /ahr-kuh-PEL-uh-goh/ [noun] – a group of small islands or an area of sea in which there are many small islands Indonesia is known as the largest archipelago in the world. dense /dens/ [adjective] – close together and difficult to go or see through; thick The…
Read more

Four artworks of Surrealism explained

sea

©The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo / MOMAT/DNPartcom via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the different types of art in your country (e.g., ukiyo-e)? What do you think is the most popular artwork from your country and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. larva /LAHR-vuh/ [noun] – a young insect that has left its egg but has not yet developed wings, or the young of some animals Before we knew it, the eggs quickly hatched into larvae. overpower /oh-ver-POU-er/ [verb] – to defeat someone by having greater strength or power The…
Read more

The language of Mother’s Day flowers

roses-g6043d1a85_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some popular flowers in your country? Which of these do you see most often? Does flower photography interest you? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. scent /sent/ [noun] – a pleasant natural smell I just love the scent of pine trees! vary /VAIR-ee/ [verb] – if things of the same type vary, they are different from each other, and if you vary them, you cause them to be different from each other This restaurant offers milkshakes in varying flavors. affection /uh-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a feeling…
Read more

A guide to Children’s Day in Japan

carp-streamer-g428e0589a_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually do on May 5 every year? What toys did you play with as a child? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. growth /grohth/ [noun] – The growth of a person, animal, or plant is its process of increasing in size. Robbie’s sisters were proud to witness his growth. symbol /SIM-buhl/ [noun] – a sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else The four-leaf clover is a symbol of luck. power /POU-er/ [noun] – strength Everyone looked up to Julian for his power and kindness….
Read more

The Golden Week

a house-shaped blackboard with the text golden week written in it and a flag of japan, against a pale green rustic wooden background

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What holidays do you always look forward to? Please tell me more about them. What do you think is the most important holiday in your country and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. date back /deyt bak/ [phrasal verb] – to have existed for a particular length of time or since a particular time Washington’s official snowfall records date back to 1884. honor /ON-er/ [verb] – to show great respect for someone, esp. in public Mother’s Day is a special day to honor motherhood. entrance /EN-truhns/ [noun] – the right…
Read more

Japanese green tea leaves sell for nearly 2 million yen

tea-g836f932f4_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you prefer green tea to black tea? Why or why not? Where do you buy tea? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ensure /en-SHOOR/ [verb] – to make something certain to happen We need to ensure that all attendees are at the venue by 7:00 p.m. provide /pruh-VAYD/ [verb] – to give someone something that they need Our company’s goal is to provide useful products for everyone. fair /fair/ [adjective] – If something is fair, it is reasonable and is what you expect or deserve The athletes would like a…
Read more

Where did Easter eggs originate?

Happy easter, Easter painted eggs in the basket on wooden rustic table for your decoration in holiday. copy space.

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What was your first impression of Easter? How do the people in your country celebrate Easter? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. symbol /SIM-buhl/ [noun] – something that is used to represent a quality or idea The dragon is commonly known as a symbol of power. link /lingk/ [verb] – to make a connection between two or more people, things, or ideas Experts say that cutting down trees is linked to climate change. rebirth /ree-BURTH/ [noun] – a new period of growth of something People consider spring as the season of…
Read more

Charlotte Brontë’s tiny manuscript to go on sale for $1.25 million

http___cdn.cnn.com_cnnnext_dam_assets_220331181931-03-charlotte-bronte-rare-manuscript

©James Cummins Bookseller via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which do you prefer, fiction or nonfiction books? Why? How often do you visit a bookstore? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reflect /ri-FLEKT/ [verb] – to show, express, or be a sign of something This book reflects the Indonesian culture. sophisticated /suh-FIS-ti-key-tid / [verb] – very complex, This song has sophisticated lyrics. handwriting /HAND-rahy-ting/ [noun] – the particular way in which someone forms letters with a pen or pencil Dorian’s handwriting is light and clear. classic /KLAS-ik/ [noun] – a piece of writing, a musical…
Read more